OUR PROFILE

Together they go searching for fun experiences that combine their love for sports, adventure and nature.

Here are some of their most favourite moments:

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TOGETHER

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​​TeamAA kayak/Swim (Yorkshire)Mum swims 5km and pulls Athina inside a kayak. A fun way for little-lobster to enjoy the wonderful views across the lake whilst mum does her endurance training in prep towards Ironman Wales. (May 2016)​

Winners of the 2016 Sean Conway Adventure Scholarship with the ‘Pirates of the Canals' adventure.

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Pirates of the Canals I.Mother and daughter paddle the full length of Leeds-Liverpool canal in a dingy boat (Boaty McBoatface) in 7 days, mostly with torrential weather in aid of Jane Tomplinson Appeal. (August 2016)

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Runners up at the John MacGregor - 2016 BRITISH CANOEING National Awards.

BBC Sports Personality of the year 2016, live call. Athina receives a #BigThankYou phone call live from the BBC Sports

Personality of the Year show. Anne Dickings (GB paracanoeist) thanks her for her volunteering, fundraising and her great sporting performance, canoeing the Leeds-Liverpool canal (December 2016)

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Yorkshire Choice Awards 2017 The awards are a celebration of achievement in Yorkshire.

Mother and daughter are nominated and finalists in 3 categories:

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Inspirational Individual of the Year

Sporting Achievement of the Year

The Kate Granger Award for Outstanding Contribution

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Mini Olympics and public talks (Primary Schools)Mother and daughtervisit schools across Yorkshire and Spain, sharing their canal adventures, encouraging more children to get active and go exploring. (2016-2019)

Night Orienteering Race (Leeds).Mother and daughter run their first orienteering race together. Armed with torches, headlights, a map and joined by good friends they run across the streets of Leeds searching for post-boxes. (March 2017)​​

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First Mother/Daughter Open Water swim race (Lancaster). They swim 1k in a beautiful quarry. They swim backstroke so Mum can count 1-2-3 and help Athina keep her rhythm. Athina says when she's older she will do all the counting for Mum. (July 2017)

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BBC Countryfile Live, Public Talk (Blenheim Palace). Under the title 'Pirates of the canal - A family afloat' the intrepid duo are invited to the live shows (Explore Britain team) to inspire the nation with their adventures and togetherness. (August 2017)

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Pirates of the Canals II (Lancaster/Cumbria)Mother and daughter build an eco-friendly raft made out of water pipes, office chairs, cabinet screens and use an old graduation gown and a broom stick as a sail. They paddle 65k across the Lancaster canal, camp along the way and collect litter from the canal while adventuring. (August 2017)​​

Finalists at the UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS 2018, Sustainability Awards in the 'Making the most of resources' with their Pirates of the Canals II.

3 Lakes Challenge (First lake: Bala, Wales) The little pirates embark on their first of three UK's largest lakes. They paddle across

lake Bala (Wales) 7 miles. When the weather changes and they get headwind Athina can't get enough of paddling on choppy water and their four-legged captain falls in. (July 2018)

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Micro-MTB-adventure (Yorkshire Dales) Saturday morning mother and daughter with heavy touring bags and a teeny-tiny pooch sitting inside a small shopping basket depart from Chevin Forest on their mountain bikes. Destination? Unknown. They toss a coin on

every junction to decide whether they go left or right. Together they cycle 40 miles across some of Yorkshires most scenic and challenging climbs. At 5 degrees, they sleep underneath the stars. (November 2018)

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Pirates of the Canals IV(Highlands, Scotland) TeamAA with help from a boat-building expert, build a Canadian canoe using scrap pieces of wood and paddle across the Great Glen. On a windy day they use an umbrella to propel them forward. Once they reach the end, they trek back to the start. In total 150 miles- Mother and daughter camp along the way and share findings on water-based invasive species. (August 2019)

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World Triathlon Series 2016-2019 (Leeds, Yorkshire). TeamAA assist with the Elite Athletes Award Ceremony, for four consecutive years. They have a blast and during rehearsals, Athina fills in as 'Pretend-World-Champion'. In 2017 she hands out the 'Series Leader' awards whilst Mum hands out the flowers every year. (2016 -2019)​

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MAMACCA = LITTLE MUMMY (AKA: Addi)

​​Snowdonia Trail Marathon.First marathon and it's a trail. She falls in love with Wales. (August 2015)

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Mixed Abilities Rugby World Tournament (Yorkshire). Addi discovers the wonderful world of rugby while volunteering as a Spanish Interpreter and makes some new friends for life. (August 2015)

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70.3 IRONMAN Lanzarote (Spain). Considered by many to be one of the toughest events in the world. Addi loves it and hopes to do another one, double the distance. (September 2015)​

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Love Swim Run (Snowdonia).A 3.5km swim in the deep clear waters of Llyn Padarn in shoes and pulling a survival bag. A 12.5km run beneath the majestic summit of Snowdon dressed in a wetsuit and soggy trainners. What a great event. (June 2016) ​

IRONMAN Wales.One of the toughest races in the world. Swim: 2.4miles - Bike: 112 miles - Run: 26.2 miles all within strict cut-off times. Addi is treated to some of the most vocal and enthusiastic spectators in endurance sports; we're in Wales after all! She loves the experience and says 'It's all in the head'. (September 2016) ​

A couple of days after Addi completes the notorious IRONMAN Wales, and during her commute a reckless driver hits on the bike lane. Bike is written off and Addi rushed to hospital. A few stitches later Addi is instructed to strict bed rest for a month and physiotherapy.

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World Cup, International Winter Swimming Association by Big Chill Swim (Windermere). A swim in the heart of winter without a wetsuit? Addi goes in twice, for a 120m frerstyle solo and a 30m relay with the 'Chester Frosties1. Water temperature? 7 degrees.(December 2016)

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Solo Winter Adventure I (Essex-Lands End). Cycling solo 400km with only a backpack. Five days to get from Essex to Lands End. Steep hills in both Bath and Cornwall and plenty of falls cycling in the heart of the British Winter on icy roads! (December 2016)

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First Ultra Run race (Yorkshire Dales). 52km, 1300m climb. It takes 9.33 hrs to run through continuous paste-like mud with a heavy backpack. At the finish line two large bacon batties await and Addi eats them with no shame. (March 2017)

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Red Bull Neptune Steps (Scotland). Swimming upstream in 7 degrees in a canal in Glasgow climbing over lock gates was always going to be full of excitement. Throw in 320 of the toughest competitors and we have a cracking; albeit insane event! (March 2017)

commitments and impact of staff. Addi is nominated for the 2017 Wellbeing Champion Award.​(May 2017)

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Four Passes, Fell Running (Borrowdale, Lakes). 31km (19 miles)mountain race, self-navigation on a rocky and technical terrain. Plenty of rain and scrambling involved, strong winds and muddy paths. Addi rates this as one of her top 3 races to date. (October 2017)

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University of Leeds Vice-Chancellors Wellbeing Award 2017. Organised and led by Addi, the School of History receives the

first ever Wellbeing Achievement Award. This is in recognition of the Schools' collective and continuous efforts for a healthy work/life balance. Addi is nominated for the Wellbeing Award twice, both with the School and as a Healthy Week Hero. She says:

"The greatest award is doing something you're proud of with people you value." (November 2017)

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Solo Winter Adventure II (Majorca, Spain).Armed with a backpack Addi heads off to Spain on a new quest for adventure. She treks across the Tramountana mountain in the heart of winter and sleeps mainly in a hammock. She makes friends with the hospitable locals and finds herself celebrating Christmas, the 'Majorcan way' with another 25 people of the same family. (December 2017)

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Public Speaking (University of Leeds) Addi gives various inspirational talks across the University of Leeds on the topics of Wellbeing and Adventuring (Womens Leeds Network, Healthy Week Hero 2018 launch event, H&S Network etc.) 2017-2019

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105km Run. The Serpent Trail (South Downs National Park). Joint by her friend Martyn, Addi runs her longest jog; across greensand hills, lowland heath, woodland and river meanders from Haslemere to Petersfield. They ascend to the highest point in the South Downs National Park, snaking through glades, copse, fields and heathland as it rises and falls through the Wealden Greensand Hills. They get a wee lost but they complete the race the same day and conclude they run 105km instead! (June 2017)

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BRITISH CANOEING Female Paddling Ambassador.Selected as one of British Canoeing's firs ever Women's Paddling Ambassadors,

Addi is chosen for her inspirational approach to paddle sport and her desire to share her love of the sport with others. Her mission?

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Equality and Inclusion Committee (School of History, University of Leeds) A committee responsible for the promotion of equality of opportunity across the School of History. Addi joins the committee, hoping to engage with a wide range of equality and diversity issues affecting both staff and students. (2018)

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British Canoeing, Women's Advisory Group. The key focus is to share ideas based on existing knowledge and experience to help increase female representation and raise the profile. Addi joins the group and discussions around activation opportunities, how to support existing workforce and future opportunities for development. (2018)​​​

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Water@Leeds Confluence, Talk (University of Leeds) Invited to give a talk at the University of Leeds, Annual Water@Leeds Confluence bringing to the groups’ attention her work outside the University as a water-based Adventurer. Addi's aim was to form academic collaborations that engage the general public with the University of Leeds world class scientific research. (September 2018)

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Beacons Marathon (Brecon Beacons National Park) In just 24 hours Addi drives 6 hrs South, sleeps in her car, joins the strenuous mountain race to the summits of Pen y Fan (highest peak in South Wales) at 886m (2,907 ft) and drives back home again. Isn't amazing how much one can do in a day's worth? (November 2018)

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Solo Winter Adventure III (NC500, Scotland) The notorious North Coast 500 is a 516-mile scenic route around the north coast of Scotland. six days of cycling solo through some of Highlands most remote and breath taking rural areas. Carrying 25kg and wild camping along the way at sub-zero temperatures. A journey of self-discovery, new friendships and resilience. (December 2018)

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Public talk (York University) Addi is invited to give a talk about the TeamAA mother-daughter adventures with a special focus on environmental pollution. (March 2019)

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Water@Leeds 10th Year Anniversary, Talk (University of Leeds) - Addi gives a talk to colleagues and external partners about the impact and evaluation of the Pirates of the canals IV research trip. (September 2019)

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Vice-Chancellors Wellbeing Achievement Award (University of Leeds) A finalist at the University of Leeds VC Awards, celebrating the exceptional inspiration, dedication and achievement in Wellbeing. This nomination is for Addi's volunteering with

her dog Shadow, improving wellness for Staff and Students across the University of Leeds. (November 2019)

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BRITISH CANOEING, Clear Water Clear Access Award.On it's first project anniversary, Addi receives the Community Champion award for her volunteering work promoting the British waterways and for helping protect those with environmental messages. She uses social media to share research on identifying invasive species and explain why bio-security is critically important, why the

Check-Clean-Dry campaign matters.(December 2019)

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Adventure and Travel Show (Olympia Conference Centre, London). Addi is invited to give a public talk and enthuse the audience with tales from the feel-good mother and daughter Pirates of the Canals adventures. (January 2020)

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LITTLE LOBSTER (AKA: ATHINA)

Age 1, learns toSwim.She's a little lobster! Strong legs and naturally good at backstroke.

Age 5, joins the localGymnasticsclub. By the age of 11 she's into tumbling-gymnastics.

Age 5,Runsher first 5km Parkrun. She continues to run and her PB today stands proudly at 29 mins.

Age 8, joins theJunior Athletics team and as she grows older she's considering Pentathlon.

City of Leeds Winter Development meet (race). Her third gala since she started racing. Athina competes in 4 styles, sets a PB in all and brings home three medals: IM = Silver, Breaststroke = Gold, Free-Style = Gold. She dreams of going to the Olympics one day. (January 2020)

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LITTLE-MISS-SHADOW(AKA: WELLBEING PUP)

February 2018. Little-Miss-Shadow joins the TeamAA family. She commutes daily with her human

by bike and joins the University of Leeds as a wellbeing dog. She becomes the perfect adventure companion, proof that one can be small and mighty!

Wellbeing Pup (University of Leeds).Shadow joins the University of Leeds as a wellbeing-pup. Students and Staff take her for walks across the campus. She brings a sense of community to members, reduces stress and acts as an ice breaker for external guests. (February 2017)

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LUU Bereavement session and Exam support (University of Leeds).Shadow spreads some love and joy at the University Union. She has a wonderful time playing and being stroked by the students attending this session.

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Salty Dog, pirate crew.Shadow joins the her humanson her first paddling adventure across the Leeds-Liverpool canal. Since then, she is often seen across a canal, loch or river in a suspicious looking vessel. (March 2018)

First Summit, Whernside (Yorkshire)Little pooch makes it up her very first summit! With no help at all and leaving everyone behind her she reaches 2,415 ft. (April, 2018)

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Total Warrior.Pooch volunteers at the children's climbing obstacles. The participants are delighted to see her there! (June 2018)

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'Have-fun-reading-to-Shadow' (Yorkshire, primary schools) Children at primary schools read to Shadow who in return promises not to interrupt and listen attentively. (2018)

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Agility Course. Pooch takes part with 'Little-Human' agility courses at their local canine shows. (2018-2019)

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Water@Leeds 10th Year Anniversary (University of Leeds) - Shadow is invited to the Great Hall, to give a talk about her exploration trip in Scotland investigating Invasive Species. Probably the only known dog to ever give a talk in this iconic venue! (September 2019)

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Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Wellbeing (University of Leeds) - Shadow is a finalist at the University of Leeds